Wedding Cake Murder

Joanne Fluke

Mar 2016 · A Hannah Swensen Mystery Book 19 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

Hannah Swensen’s getting married—but first she has to solve the murder of a notorious celebrity chef—in this entry in the New York Times-bestselling series.
 
Folks in Lake Eden, Minnesota, may have had their doubts, but at long last, Hannah Swensen is getting married! And her excitement only grows when she learns the man of her dreams will be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. They get a taste of the Big Apple before Hannah wins the Hometown Challenge—and the producers bring all the contestants to Lake Eden to tape the remainder of the show.
 
It’s nerve-wracking enough being judged by Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But it’s even more chilling to find him stabbed to death in the Lake Eden Inn’s walk-in cooler—before he’s even had a chance to taste Hannah’s Butterscotch Sugar Cookies! Now Hannah has not only lost her advantage, she’ll have to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…
 
“Fluke’s cast is lively and winsome.”—Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

I've been a fan of the Hannah Swensen’s books from the very beginning. While I did miss reading the last 2 books, I was able to easily pick up the series and keep up with no problems. I do plan on going back to read the books I missed, as I really love the characters in this series. I really enjoyed Wedding Cake Murder. I got to spend time with all my favorite characters while getting to see Hannah prepare to get married and compete in a dessert chef contest. Of course, no Hannah Swensen novel is complete until we have at least one murder and the Swensen sisters work together to solve the crime. Hannah has always been my favorite character from this series, but I love her sisters Andrea and Michelle as well. I love how each sister's mind works a little bit differently, but they can work so well together to solve murders. I also love that the police always know that Hannah and her friends and family are on the case just like them and actually look to Hannah for help with the investigations. Since I had missed the last 2 books, I was a little surprised to see Hannah was getting married to someone other than Mike or Norman. I'm still not really sure how I feel about Ross other than to say I don't think we know enough about him at this time. Maybe because I like Mike and Norman so much, flaws and all, I wasn't ready for another man to be in Hannah's life, but I still think there is something we are missing about Ross. I’ll really be watching him in the next book to see if anything is revealed. I'm still a fan of the Hannah Swensen books and absolutely love all the recipes that are included in each book. I do wish all the recipes were listed in one section at the back of the book rather than at the end of the chapters, but I can always skip ahead pretty easily while reading. With Wedding Cake Murder many changes happened that could effect upcoming books and I look forward to seeing where the author takes her fans. Review copy provided by publisher

Joanne Fluke mesmerizes me each time I read Hannah's series. The protagonist, Hannah Swenson owns the COOKIE JAR BAKERY. She is modest about her talents so it comes as a shock when the Food Channel invites her to be part of a baking challenge that one of her relatives signed her up for. In the midst of planning Hannah's wedding with her funny and quirky family the competition comes at an awkward time in Hannah's life. If we know anything about Joanne Fluke and her books, there is no scrimping on delicious recipes included in the book. She also includes tips on how "Hannah" bakes but in real life we know it's Joanne's methods. If you are coming into this series for the first time, I recommend going to book 1 and 2 to understand the family network and relationships. All the personalities that conflict and jive with Hannah's life. How their support even when solving a murder is invaluable. Joanne's focus and accord for plotting, storytelling and bringing the reader closer into the Author's reality makes me all that more supportive of her work. And I appreciate how I actually picture Lake Eden and the places Hannah goes. Whether it is my brain creating images from small towns I've watched in movies and on TV or the author's ability to clearly depict the place she is talking about --- I don't know. But it gives me pleasure for sure! Also visit Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network and you'll find two movies. Hallmark has made five Murder She Baked movies, and fans would really love to see more. You can learn all about the movies on Hallmark’s page.

Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the nineteenth book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. Hannah Swensen is getting married (but not to Mike or Norman much to my dismay)! Hannah is marrying Ross Barton, an independent producer for KCOW Television (they dated in college). Hannah wants a small wedding because of Mike and Norman (does not want to upset them or throw it in their face). However, it comes to Hannah’s attention that this would not be a wise move (she is being manipulated). So Delores (her mother) and Michelle (her sister) get to plan a big wedding. While they work on the wedding, Hannah is preparing for the Dessert Chef Competition. The competition starts in New York and the winner of the first round gets the hometown advantage (the contest will move to the winner’s hometown). When Hannah wins, everybody heads for Eden Lake, Minnesota. Things are going well until the head judge, Chef Alain Duquesne ends up dead. Hannah sets out to solve the murder, win the competition, and find a wedding dress before her big day! Will Hannah be able to solve the crime (probably better than finding a wedding dress she will like)? Fans of the Hannah Swensen series, you will want to read Wedding Cake Murder. It is a simple book (easy to read though) and the mystery is a piece of cake (pun intended). However, Hannah is finally getting married (just not to Norman or Mike). If you have not read any of the previous books in the series, you do not want to start with Wedding Cake Murder (you will be lost). I give Wedding Cake Murder 3 out of 5 stars. There were too many recipes in this book (yes, there is such a thing). There are twenty-two recipes which takes up a third of the novel. Wedding Cake Murder was not of the same caliber as the earlier books in the series. I think it is time for the Hannah Swensen Mystery series to retire (just being honest). I received a complimentary copy of Wedding Cake Murder from NetGalley (and Kensington Books) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

About the author

JOANNE FLUKE is the New York Times bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen mysteries, which include Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, Raspberry Danish Murder, Cinnamon Roll Murder, and the book that started it all, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. That first installment in the series premiered as Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. Like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke was born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, but now lives in Southern California. Please visit her online at www.JoanneFluke.com.